Impact Report

More than just a place to stay…

The SECU Family House provides a comfortable and affordable place to stay for families in medical crises. In 2015, you were one of 1,448 special individuals or organizations who supported the Family House financially. Along with those who gave their time and talents, you helped provide families in medical crisis with more than just a place to stay.

“A Burden Relieving Home”

Marie and Greg were able to stay by Greg’s sister’s side during an extra scary time.

With ten kids between them, Marie and Greg Shell (Morganton, NC) know a thing or two about family.

They first found the Family House in 2014 after their 22 year old son was hospitalized for a series of uncontrollable seizures. After being sent home with a recuperating son, Greg’s sister came to live with them. Soon after, she suffered a massive stroke that left her paralyzed and was sent to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Love and support at the House

Unsure if she would survive, Greg and Marie returned to the Family House many nights with tears in their eyes, thankful for the staff and volunteers who offered their support. “We came in at night so upset and the employees/volunteers would take time and just let us talk; we cried together–I felt as if they really cared,” said Marie. They returned in December after Diane suffered two more strokes.

“ Without you, she would have been here all alone with a stroke from December 17, 2015 until January 27, 2016.”

She Wasn’t Alone

The Shells are both on disability for their own medical issues, so extended hotel stays were out of the question. They found a community at the Family House they simply couldn’t have found elsewhere. The Shells loved to cook, play games, and check in with the other guests staying in the Family House while Diane worked hard to recover her health and mobility.

On January 27, we met Greg’s sister. We watched her walk out the door.

Family Assistance Fund

This fund helps financially burdened families stay at the Family House at a reduced rate.

Volunteer Hospitality

The love of individual and group volunteers keep our house in top shape and meals on the table while keeping our room rates low for guests.

A New Perspective

The Education Program serves as a free counseling session for many of our guests, and a transformative experience for students. Guests often say they offered to meet with students as a way to help the Family House efforts; however, they

realized it turned out to be a session in which they received nurturing they didn’t expect. After listening to a guest’s personal story, the future doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and chaplains often declare that they will walk into their patients’ rooms with new perspective and a deeper level of compassion.